Families facing numerous errors while filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form are being overshadowed by the emphasis on free college, according to a congresswoman from North Carolina. The focus should shift towards good governance instead.
“This latest series of mistakes highlights the urgency for transparency and accountability in postsecondary education,” emphasized U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., chairwoman of the Education and Workforce Committee in the House of Representatives. She likened the Biden administration’s actions to sailing out of a harbor in a boat riddled with holes, stressing the need for immediate attention to the matter.
On Friday, the Department of Education shared a notice from its Federal Student Aid group regarding the transmission of incorrect tax data to schools on the Institutional Student Information Records for 2024-25 FAFSA applications. According to the post, less than 20% of applicants were affected by this issue.
Federal Student Aid provided updates on Monday regarding two issues related to inconsistent transferal of tax data and a third issue involving inconsistencies in instructions.
FAFSA encountered issues when it introduced a new form this year. Traditionally released in October, it was delayed until December 31. As a result, colleges and universities faced obstacles in delivering financial aid packages to students due to technical glitches and miscalculations.
College administrators say the new form was designed to streamline and simplify the process for families. It directly connects to an IRS tool, making it easier for families to access and complete.
Families and higher education institutions have faced numerous challenges, which are beyond their control.
According to a statement released by Foxx, he believes that if the Education Department had taken the necessary precautions and thoroughly tested the data, this recent error, along with many others, could have been avoided or identified years ago. The Department’s numerous mistakes and delays over the course of several months have left institutions, families, and states questioning the accuracy of any data provided by the administration. Instead of fulfilling its responsibilities, the administration has been directing its efforts towards an illegal student loan scheme.
She criticized the Biden administration’s proposal to transfer the responsibility of student loans onto taxpayers.
She pointed out that it is important not to overlook the fact that Biden’s student loan policies fail to tackle the issue of skyrocketing tuition fees. She argued that the term “forgiving” loans is nonsensical because loans do not magically disappear; instead, they are transferred to taxpayers. This approach will only encourage more borrowing, as the administration sends the message that loans will never have to be repaid. Consequently, educational institutions will continue to raise prices without being held accountable for the poor outcomes that students face.
